Getting you what you need in a Public Health emergency…
Should an emergency occur that requires medication or vaccines it will be provided through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
Emergency lifesaving medicines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates the SNS program. The SNS program will deliver large amounts of vital drugs, vaccines, medical equipment, and supplies to the site of a national emergency such as:
- Natural disasters
- Terrorist attacks
- Disease outbreaks
The SNS is large. It can provide medicines to many states at the same time. Georgia officials can request the SNS if it appears that local supplies won’t be enough.
THE MEDICINE THAT COMES FROM THE SNS IS FREE.
The SNS will get here fast.
The SNS is stored in many secure places around the country. Stockpiles can be shipped anywhere in the United States. The SNS program provides a 12-hour Push Package: A “ready-to-go” reserve:
- 12-hour: It will arrive within 12 hours.
- Push: The state only needs to ask for help, not exact items.
- Package: This is a complete cache of different medicines and supplies needed to respond to a broad range of threats.
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI): VMI provides only the medical products the state needs and requests.
SNS Program Activities
- Buy, manage, and store drugs, supplies, and equipment
- Provide quick shipment of the SNS in response to a terrorist event
- Train and work with local, state, and federal emergency responders
- Conduct research and evaluation
How You Will Get Medication:
Through Points of Dispensing (PODs), which are clinics for medicine and information
Points of dispensing clinics, called PODs, may be drive-thru or walk up. PODs are set up to quickly get medicines and treatment advice to people.
PODs can be opened in emergency situations or:
- When someone purposely spreads germs or chemicals to make people sick
- When there is a natural outbreak of a very contagious disease
- During some natural disasters
PODs provide medicines, such as:
- Antibiotics
- Antivirals
- Vaccines
Medicines given at the PODs will be free.
It is important to only get medicines from official sources
PODs will be easy to find and can take care of many people.
- Georgia officials have plans for operating many PODs at the same time.
- Federal, state, and local authorities are working hard to make sure there is enough safe medicine for everyone who needs it.
- Drugs purchased from “unofficial sources” may not work, and could be harmful.
Pay close attention to the news!
You will find out what you need to do and will hear about POD openings:
- on TV and radio
- in the newspapers
- on the Internet
You must complete the Head of Household form prior to going to a POD.